Pedal device for pianos and other purposes



B..H. JEFFERSON AND W. l. KIRK.

PEDAL DEVICE FOR PIANOS AND OTHER PURPOSES APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1919.

1,374,891. P11111111 Apr. 12, 1921.

UNITED ST ES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN H. JEFFERSON AND :WALTEB. I. KIRK, or GHICAGb, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS- TO LYON & HEALY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIO or ILL NoIs.

IEEDAL DEVICE ,ron PIANOS A no'rIrEn ronrosnsi Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ap1g12, 1921,

Application filed May 15, 1919. Serial No. 297,380.

United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvez ment in Pedal Devices for Pianos and Other Purposes, of which the followingis a full,

clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying draw.- ings, forming apart of this specification.

Our invention relates to pedal devices, such as are used for pianos and for other purposes.

Oneof the objects of the "invention is to provide a pedal device of the class mentioned which can be acted upon'at a point or position above the one which is usually or normally acted or pressed upon.

Another object of the invention is to permit the pedal device to be operated by acting upon it at-su'ch usual or normal position, as well as at such elevated point or position.

Another object of the invention is to secure these pressing surfaces at difi'erent, horizontal levels by means of a construction similar in general shape and character to the usual piano pedal.

Another object of the invention is to secure the different level pressing surfaces in a pianopedal-'like construction by adjustable devices contained largely within such construction.

Another object of the invention is to arrange for the easy, ready and quick adjustment of such relatively adjustable parts.

Another object of the invention is to secure simplicity and practicability of construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to ac-.

complish the foregoing and other desirable results in a simple and expeditious manner. In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lower part of the front of a piano provided with three pedal devices embodying our present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2--2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, we show a portion of the front 1', of a piano provided with three pedal devices, 2, 3 and 4.I The pedal devices 2 and .3 are in position to be operated in the usual manner, that is by pressure or action upon pressing surfaces so locatedas to be readily available by a mature person of average size. The other I pedal't is in" condition to provide a surface which can be acted orpressed upon in convenient manner by'a child or-other'person having such short legs that they do not extend down to the pressing surfaces provided by the pedals 2 and 3 in the. condition in which said pedals are shown in-Fig. l.

The pedal devices 2, 3 and 4 are all alike, but'the pedaldevices 2 and 3 are shown in the first mentioned or normal condition or position, whereas the other pedal device 4, is shown in the last. mentioned or 'what may be'called the abnormal condition or position.

Each of saidpedals has a body or pedal member 5 preferably-constructed with the usual upturned rear end portion 6 and a toe portion 7. The latter in accordance with the present invention is made separable from the remainder of the member 3 the line of division being indicated at 8, (Fig. 2) This too portion 7 is not only made separable, but it is mounted upon a support 9 by which it may be held or supported in an upperv position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The support 9 is preferably in semi-circular form and fits in a correspondingly shaped groove 10 in the member 5. By giving the support 9 this shape, it can be read ily accommodated inside of the member 5 because its end portion can be located inside of the upwardly extending. end member 6. Thus the toe portion 7 when in its lowered position will, in connection with the body part 5, provide a pressing surface or surfaces which lie in the usual or normal position to permit of their being acted upon by the foot of a mature person of average size playing the piano. Said toe portion 7,

piano. Thus the pedal device provides the pressing surfaces in the different horizontal positions, and this is accomplished by a pedal device of the usual size and character of the ordinary piano pedal.

The toe piece 7 and part 5 may, if desired be provided with a mortise and tenon joint, in which the tongue 12 is shown formed on the end of the toe piece 7 and the socket for the same on the part 5. The toe piece 7 may be secured to the support 9 bymeans of a screw 13 passing through the end of the support 9 into the toe piece 7. The connection between parts 7 and 9, as well as the screw 13, are concealed when the toe piece 7 is lowered and in contact with the body part 5.

Provision is made for holding or looking the toe piece 7 in its elevated position and preferably in its lowered position also. The arrangement shown comprises a pin 14 passed downwardly into the body part 5 near the middle thereof and apertures 15 and 16 in the support 9. VVhenthe part 7 is lowered the pin 14 enters the aperture 15 and locks the support 9 and toe piece 7 in such lowered position. hen said part 7 is elevated the pin 14 will enter the aperture 16 and thereby hold said part 7 in elevated position. The head of the pin 14 projects above the top surface of the member 5 and consequently said pin may be lifted by the fingers and then allowed to drop into either one or the other of said apertures.

It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departin from the spirit of the invention.

Vhat we claim is:

v 1. A pedal device comprising a pedal member having its toe portion made separable from the body portion of said member, a rod or bar connected with said 'toe portion and serving to support the same in an elevated position, said rodor bar being arranged to slide in a groove formed in the body portion of said member and to permit said toe, portion to be separated from the latter and adjusted to an elevated position, and means for locking said rod or bar in adjusted position, said rod or bar being circular in form.

2. A pedal device comprising a pedal member having its toe portion made separable from the body portion of said member, a rod or bar connected with said toe portion and serving to support the same in an elevated position, said rod or bar being arranged to slide in a groove formed in the body portion of said member and to permit said toe portion to be separated from the latter and adjusted to an elevated position,

and means for locking said rod or bar in ad usted pos1t1on,'sa1d rod or bar being circular in form, and sald p111 being arranged for vertical movement in said body portion.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 24th day of April, A. D.

BENJAMIN H. JEFFERSON. WALTER I. KIRK. 

